Harlem For Sale: The Lena Horne Estate Auction

Doyle New York will auction the estate of the legendary performer and civil rights pioneer Lena Horne on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 10 am. Born in Brooklyn, Lena Horne (1917-2010) began her professional life at 16 in the fall of 1933, Horne joined the chorus line of the Cotton Club. In the spring of 1934, she had a featured role in the Cotton Club Parade, before moving to Hollywood and appearing in a series of acclaimed film roles. Beginning in the 1950s, she focused increasingly on live performance, becoming one of the world’s premiere nightclub entertainers. Through her many recordings and television appearances, millions more became her fans.

The Lena Horne collection comprises elegant costume jewelry, accessories, gowns, memorabilia, decorations, silver, furniture, books and fine art from her home on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Featured are costume jewelry by Chanel and Deanna Hambro, trunks by Louis Vuitton, photographs by James Van Der Zee and Carl Van Vechten, and paintings by Charles Alston (left) and David Burliuk.

Porgy and Bess is an album by Harry Belafonte and Lena Horne, released by RCA Victor in 1959. It includes songs from George Gershwin’s operetta Porgy and Bess.

Lena Horne passed away on Sunday, May 9, at the age of 92.

The public is invited to the exhibition on view from Saturday, February 19 through Tuesday, February 22. Doyle New York is located at 175 East 87th Street in Manhattan.

For information, interested bidders call 212-427-2730. A souvenir auction catalogue for the sale at $25 call 212-427-4141, ext 203 or email subscriptions@DoyleNewYork.com

Photo Credits; 1. VAN VECHTEN, CARLm Lena Horne. Gelatin silver print, 9 9/8 x 8 7/8 inches (252 x 200 mm), with the blind stamp of Carl Van Vechten at (ll) and his stamp on verso, also (ll). Very light wear, but a wonderful vintage image of the young Horne.  C  Estimate $100  - $150; 2. l) HUGHES, LANGSTON, Simple Speaks his Mind. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1950. With a cordial inscription from Hughes to Lena Horne on the front flyleaf, dated May 14, 1950. Jacket somewhat worn; Together with two other works by Hughes, both fully inscribed by Langston Hughes to Lena Horne. In worn jackets. C, Estimate $300  - $500; 3. r) VAN DER ZEE, JAMES, Atlantic City, 1930. Gelatin silver print, 6 3/8 x 3 7/8 inches (162 x 100 mm), signed in pencil by Van Der Zee and numbered 21 from the edition of 75. The photograph is from Van Der Zee’s portfolio 18 Photographs, C Estate of Lena Horne, Estimate $200  - $300; 4. Charles Alston, American, 1907-1977, Abstract, Signed Alston (lr), Oil on canvas, 40 x 30 inches. C Estate of Lena Horne, Estimate $30,000  - $50,000; 5. GERSHWIN, GEORGE, The Theater Guild Presents Porgy and Bess. New York: Gershwin Publishing Corp., n.d. Lena Horne’s copy. C Estate of Lena Horne Estimate $50  - $100.